Hi all, I have hesitated to get involved in this discussion up to now, but
could I plead that Jack's transmitting frequency is not decreed by operators
who who have no facilities for QRSS weak signal reception. The UK is not the
only area interested in making a contacts with Jack. In Continental Europe
the section from 135.950 to the bottom of the band is useless for weak
signal reception. Also the normally designated QRSS slot is close by DCF39,
as we know from 73kHz that extra spacing can make a lot of difference.
Here, probably the most easterly station in the UK, I can receive an
intermodulation product on 136.0kHz from Mainflingen that would make
reception of Jack impossible. As it is on 136.5 he is sitting a much weaker
IM product from that site, which makes reception difficult before it fades
at midnight. (These are not due to my equipement failings, as confirmed by
Markus DF6NM)
As I understand it the suggested band usage was for normal everyday use and
it works well. Jack is an exception to this and all we ask is a slot about
+/- 20Hz either side of 136.5 from say 2300z to 0500z. That leaves a
considerable chunk of the band for normal morse operation at a time when it
is normally dead quiet. If an operator who is not party to the goings on,
operates on 136.5 well we must accept that....it will happen in the best
regulated circles.
I am aware that many operators do not want to be involved in QRSS, but you
might be interested to hear that in my opinion Jack's strength last night
was approaching the levels where an audible contact is possible (remember
Dave did hear him !). This knowledge has only been achieved by continuous
monitoring of his signal by computer. My aerials are by no means the last
word but I estimate Jacks signal was a few, well maybe 6-10dB, below where I
could hear him between 0100z and 0230z. It might just be worth listening in
that frequency, as results suggest he may be stronger earlier further west
from me.
This is the Centenary of the first radio morse character to cross the pond,
lets mark it style!
Cheers de Alan G3NYK
[email protected]
|
